Nigeria to begin local production of HIV drugs, test kits– NACA

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has announced plans to start local production of HIV test kits and antiretroviral drugs before the end of 2025.

The agency’s Director-General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, made this known on Friday in Ilorin during the inauguration of the Kwara Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatrics ART Acceleration Committee.

She explained that this move is part of the government’s efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

According to Ilori, other strategies being implemented include:

• Expanding the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover more people
• Providing more financial support to states for HIV programs
• Increasing public awareness and advocacy
• Investing in research and innovation for vaccines

”UNAIDS 2023 reports indicate that approximately 140,000 children aged 0-14 are living with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths occurring annually.

”Despite progress, PMTCT and paediatric HIV coverage remains below 33%, far from the 95% target.

”To address this, the Global Alliance Action Plan to End AIDS in Children was developed in 2021 with full financial support, yet coverage remains suboptimal,” she said.

She noted that although the state’s HIV prevalence of 0.8% was below the national average of 1.4%, disparities persist.

“ Women are disproportionately affected (1.3%) compared to men (0.4%), and some local governments require targeted interventions to maintain and further reduce prevalence rates.

“ Achieving an AIDS-free generation is within reach and no child should be born HIV-positive in Kwara State.

”I urge all partners to support us in developing a comprehensive line-list of children of HIV-positive clients which is crucial to accelerating paediatric ART nationwide,” she said.

Ilori said that the Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, had established a National Acceleration Committee.

The model, she said, was being replicated at the state level to eliminate mother-to-child transmission and enhance real-time programme monitoring.

Ilori said there was the need for government-led sustainability efforts to address government’s continued reliance on donor support.

”Over the past few days, I have received numerous calls regarding the implications of the 90-day foreign aid suspension on our HIV programme.

”While we are relieved that HIV services remain exempt, this situation underscores the need for government-led sustainability efforts,” she said.

She said government approaches include integrating HIV services into the national health system and strengthening government-mandated structures.

Ilori added that other measures included partners providing technical assistance as well as ensuring timely release of state and local government funds for HIV programmes.

She said government was also developing sustainable non-health components of the response and empowering civil society to serve as advocates and community service providers.

The Deputy Governor of Kwara, Mr Kayode Alabi, gave an assurance that the state government would ensure the committee achieved its mandate.

Alabi, who is the Chairman of Kwara State AIDS Control Agency, said mother to child transmission of the virus would be a thing of the past with the committee in place.